Unfortunately, there is very little positive news that can be linked to the Covid 19 pandemic. However, one of them is the return of the sea turtles to Koh Samui. Probably through the shutdown of tourism and the associated water activities, such as jet skis, speedboats and of course the population of the beaches, nature has succeeded in luring more sea turtles to Samui to lay their eggs.

The provincial governor Wichawut Jinto announced in a report that since June 2020, eggs have been laid by sea turtles in 19 nests on the beaches of Koh Samui. A total of 838 eggs were found in the respective nests of the sea turtles. This represents a considerable increase compared to previous years. The governor would now like to take further measures to ensure the protection of the affected beach sections.

These measures will certainly not change the entire population of threatened marine animals on a large scale. But even small and steady steps for active environmental and nature protection here on Koh Samui are always helpful.

Take an active part in environmental and nature protection and avoid unnecessary pollution of the beaches, avoid wasting unnecessary resources and support the local nature conservation associations! Doctor-Property also participates in various environmental campaigns every year. Help us to make Koh Samui one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world!

Today is a special challenge for all of us. The Covid 19 pandemic is making deep furrows in people’s lives. The economic situation of many people is uncertain. Tourist destinations such as Koh Samui, Phuket and Pattaya are particularly affected. Hotels, restaurants, bars and shops had to close. Most of the tourists canceled their short-term trips and the tourists who were already in the holiday resorts here in Thailand were brought back to their home countries. Almost all air traffic within Thailand’s was shut down. On Koh Samui, for example, the airport was closed completely (as of April 29, 2020). The government plans to reopen on April 15, 2020. Bangkok Airways will then fly to Koh Samui twice a day. Depending on the course of the Covid – 19 virus, further loosening will result.

Many of our Doctor-Property clients contact us and inquire about real estate discounts on Koh Samui. Due to the economic situation worldwide and the slump in tourism in Thailand, many customers hope to be able to buy property at very good conditions and with great discounts. Real estate is relatively stable in value in times of very fluctuating circumstances. Investments, such as stocks, government bonds, precious metals, or currencies can be very volatile. Real estate, especially here on Samui, is characterized by its value retention and your very good return opportunities. Yields of 6% per year are common and very well managed houses also achieve double-digit returns. In most cases, property owners on Koh Samui are very wealthy and do not have to follow the trend of property devaluation and can sit out the current crisis. That is certainly a certain regional difference to many western real estate markets, such as in Europe and America.

Nevertheless, there are some ways to buy very good properties with high discounts. You can find some of these Doctor-Property offers here.

It’s no secret that Bangkok is a beautiful, vibrant city. From the heaving nightlife of Sukhumvit to the cultural wonders of the historic Old City, the Thai capital truly provides something for everyone. 

However, given the size of Bangkok and the diversity of its neighbourhoods, deciding where to live as an expat can be a little challenging – particularly if you’re planning on relocating with your family.

With this in mind, it’s important to take the time to do your research and find the neighbourhood that best meets your needs as a family. Here are three essential factors to keep in mind when choosing where to live in Bangkok.

1. Daily Commutes and Access to Public Transport

Transportation is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when deciding where to live in Bangkok. Heavy traffic can make commutes difficult, so many expats choose to live in close proximity to their work offices and their children’s schools. 

The city is also blessed with a wide range of public transport options, so you may want to consider areas near a transport hub. For example, the BTS Skytrain services Silom and Sukhumvit and Siam Square areas, while the Bangkok MRT connects dozens of terminal stations throughout Bangkok, covering Hua Lamphong in the south to Khlong Bang Phai in the northwest.

2. Proximity to Good Schools

If you’re moving to Bangkok with children, it goes without saying that finding a good school will be high on your list of priorities. There are a number of excellent schools and kindergartens in Bangkok, many of which adhere to Western standards of education and boast high quality facilities. 

Some schools are located in fairly remote suburbs, which may require a lengthy daily commute, so be sure to do your research and find out where prospective schools and kindergartens are located before enrolling. 

3. Apartments vs Houses

Another factor that will dictate your choice of neighbourhood is the type of dwelling you wish to live in. Many expats who move to Bangkok with their families opt to live in freestanding Western-style homes, which are typically found in the city’s more suburban residential areas, such as Phra Khanong, On Nut, Ekkamai and Ratchada. These areas are generally more geared toward families, and are home to many restaurants, shopping outlets and green spaces that offer a lovely respite from the urban sprawl. 

On the other hand, if you want to be immersed in the heart of the city, you’ll find an abundance of well-appointed apartments and condos in Bangkok’s downtown areas. These dwellings may not be as spacious as a stand-alone house, but what they lack in space they usually make up for in convenience, location and premium facilities. 

Living in Bangkok

As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when choosing where to live in Bangkok. Transportation, school location and the type of home you wish to live in should ultimately form the basis of your decision.

If there is heaven anywhere on Earth, Ko Samui is the closest match to a paradise on earth. Covered extensively by thick, dense forested vegetation from all sides, this desolate and secluded island almost appears to be cradled and nurtured by Nature itself as it were its choicest picks. Ko Samui is one of the many island locations of Thailand which are now seeing increased attention from foreigners and real estate magnates as a prime destination for investment in lavish residential projects, as a means of diverting the congestion away from Bangkok, Pattaya & Phuket. And of the prime attributes of this hidden location which makes it extremely lucrative for property investors and developers alike, is the availability of exclusive sea front properties in the lap of lush greenery and surrounded by natural cordon of mountains, thereby producing a readymade canvas for picturesque views from every home. When the West is steadily moving towards becoming a concrete jungle devoid of any natural canopy, and prosperous Thai locations such as Bangkok and Phuket following suit fast, finding a getaway retreat away from the congestion traffic and crowds is becoming increasingly difficult, even for a price. Ko Samui lies off the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast and is a popular tourist destination for its attractive locations, unadulterated natural vegetative cover and best of all eye watering beaches with palm trees lined along the periphery making for aesthetic viewing in the backdrop of the crystal clear turquoise blue ocean water and a pleasantly inviting weather. The climate needs a commendable mention for its ability to remain inevitably conducive like an ever conspiring accomplice, for initiating celebrations or relaxing right from the break of dawn. With just one month of heavy rain annually, Ko Samui promises eleven months of unending fun and frolic for patrons and visitors alike making it the new chosen destination for tourists and expats. 

If this fuels your interest and curiosity to invest in a property in Ko Samui the best way to approach the desire is through a real estate property agency based in Ko Samui. A professional real estate agency already has all the necessary preliminary formalities arranged and prepared in the form of a template to facilitate the bid on an expedited time frame. With established connects in the government and in the necessary diplomatic quarters, a professional real estate agency is critical to eliminating any incubation period before a foreign investor can claim ownership over any property in Ko Samui.

Our strong presence in the Thai real estate sector enabled by our diplomatic ties connects the government relations suitably to leverage our presence as a notable and reliable player in the real estate market. This is additionally supplemented by our strong and active digital presence which makes it easier to verify our authority and establish relationships to initiate the paperwork for the property investment much ahead of the investor’s physical arrival in Ko Samui, thereby maximizing returns of the investment from every angle.

Ko Samui is literally the latest treasure chest of untampered natural beauties and delights to be unearthed in Thailand after the prior prospects Bangkok, Phuket & Pattaya are approaching inevitable saturation complimented by surging prices in real estate. So for those from the West looking to unwind in the lap of sunshine, beaches and tropical delights while steering clear from the noise, congestion and crowds, Ko Samui looks the bets probable match. However, all is not well on the shores of Ko Samui. Even before it had arisen out of its shell to embrace its bright future with baby steps, tropical storm Pabuk unleashed its wrath lashing absolute mayhem as it passed through the Gulf of Thailand.

When the ill fated tropical storm Pabuk arrived finally as it coursed through the Gulf of Thailand on, there was much ado for nothing as it passed by the neighbouring islands of Ko Phangan and Ko Samui without impacting any major damage. The storm which was expected to be equipped with the potential to  completely wipe out the Thai islands into extinction was seemingly quite harmless than was predicted as it left most of the territories it passed by unscathed and finally dissipating when it confronted the mainland strip.

Ferry boat services had remain tentatively suspended without further notice as the storm was forecast to lash out heavily across the coast of Koh Samui and extend onto the Andaman Coast as well with its impact. However the ferry services from Suratthani to Samui were launched back in operation shortly after a two-day stopgap as a precautionary method against the storm. The Ko Samui airport which was also shutdown prematurely as a safety precaution resumed services after a brief lock down for two days.

Having said that, the weather reports have clearly stated that the coast of Ko Samui would be recipient of erratic showers and inclement weather as a corollary of the low pressure pocket created by tropical storm Pabuk. As a result, beach authorities have prohibited swimming and the beach too has been kept out of bounds for tourists and locals as a safety measure. This seems to be gravest impact in the aftermath of the Pabuk which turned out to be quite a damp squid for the entire furore that it created prior to its arrival. Tourists who had booked into the island resort during this period are literally on house arrest confined to their hotel rooms for their own safety concerns. Hotels and businesses on the Koh Samui islands however began cleaning up behind the storm soon after its departure was announced with no reports of any major damage from the tremendous force of winds and rain. All property owners and hospitality franchises have admitted to minimal or no damage to their property or assets with the major problem being reported as inconvenience caused to patrons and tourists stuck on the island during this period. Most locals played down the impact of Pabuk and in general any thunder storms as they are not a new phenomenon for them. However, it was reported  that some very large waves brought in a lot of debris as the residual spoils of the natural calamity.

Bangkok is undergoing a real estate explosion even as we speak with all the foreign investors it is attracting with its luxury properties mushrooming over the landscape of the city, slowly and steadily.  This promising gradient is a very positive takeaway for the real estate industry in Thailand and can surely pave the way for other locations in Thailand to follow suit. With premium luxury upscale developed property rates in Bangkok ranging anywhere between 6500 USD to 10,000 USD per square unit, the occupancy rate for last year for 120,000 developed projects was 80%. Although Thai law is very strict and has absolutely no provision for facilitating foreigners to own land in Thailand but there is an exempt on foreign nationals owning developed properties. However, these factors don’t seem to be deterrents for the plethora of foreigners literally queuing up to invest in property in prime locations such as beachfront villas or super luxury condominium houses. As a result, the property values in Bangkok have an assured appreciation of at least 10% every passing year and new properties developed have increasing prices that are almost hitting the sky. The government of Thailand impressed by the rising interest and investment from foreign shores in Bangkok properties has given the approvals to lay similar plans of modernization and real estate development in Pattaya with a view to replicate the same success and develop other locations in Thailand as prospective and lucrative locations for attracting foreign investment. With the same intention, Pattaya and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) have been granted with the approval to develop 168 infrastructure projects from 2018 to 2022 and beyond. The Pattaya Economic Corridor has been segregated into three phases for convenience and simplicity.

Phase 1 of the EEC incorporates and accounts for Urgent Projects to facilitate the connectivity to the residential and commercial real estate projects such as:

High Speed Intercity Railway Network
Multi Lane Traffic Lane Modern Motorway System
Upgraded Modern Port Facility Connectivity
Connecting Roads To All Major Highways and Interstate Connecting Roads
Commercial Pier Systems & Ferry Facilities Connecting Them

The above listed amenities are expected to be finished over a span of two years and will be ready for use and implementation before the real estate projects are ready for possession. Projects are expected to be completed in a short-term. These projects have an accumulated budget of 9.2 Billion USD.

Phase 2 of the EEC projects is slated to commence in 2019 with a proposed completion date by 2021. Phase 2 incorporates Intermediate Projects.

The proposed cost of the intermediate projects is quoted to be around 13 Billion USD.

The last investment phase of the EEC will be the long-term projects which shall subsequently begin in 2022 and stretch on indefinitely.

The worth of the long-term projects is estimated of 252.88 Billion THB (7.9 Billion USD).

The combined cost of investment in developing the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) for residential occupancy and luxury standard of living is almost to the tune of 31 Billion USD funded by the Thai state treasury and the Royal Thai army partially. It is highly recommended for those foreign nationals who are interested in purchasing luxury property in Thailand that they consult our real estate agency for our expert’s opinion and assistance in enabling their possession for ownership seamlessly. With Bangkok fast reaching saturation and property prices soaring to the heavens, your dream home in Thailand or a beachfront villa can be realized in Pattaya. Visit our website Thailand Doctor Property today or write to us to begin the processing today itself and jump ahead of the queue.

Bangkok is one city that has grown by leaps and bounds and it still continues to prosper and grow in various industry segments. With the high rise and surge in the economy of Thailand through its various foreign investment scheme, one particular category which is on an exponential growth mode, and continues to attract and lure foreign investors, whether wealthy individuals or corporates and multinationals alike, is the real estate sector. While it is surprising that real estate continues to be the most lucrative and attractive scheme of investment for foreign nationals although land-owning and purchase by foreigners is prohibited in Thai law. So the movement and traction the real estate in Bangkok is receiving from foreign investors is all in the direction of luxury properties and developed premium properties while land ownership is completely retained by Thai nationals. The massive spurt in interest shown in luxury properties by foreigners has more to it than is evident on the surface.

The luxury properties usually are developed projects such as condominium houses or luxury villas which are priced not by the prevalent rate per unit but rather by the nature of amenities available, location and the premium value of the property. However such incremental pricing does not serve even as a mild deterrent for those interested and over the period of the last two decades Bangkok real estate has seen a major influx of foreign money from wealthy nationals belonging to USA, China, Hong Kong and European countries. Research and further introspection suggest that more than a profitable investment, these recent developments reveal a pattern or trend where foreigners believe it uplifts their social stature to own a house in Bangkok. And why not, with such amicable locals and the most scenic of locales available for prime luxury properties, anyone is bound to be tempted. With such ferocious competition and likeliness among foreigners looking to buy property in Bangkok, the luxury property prices have gone soaring to the sky.

Studies and statistics reveal that of the 120,000 luxury units available for occupancy in 2017 in Bangkok, approximately 90,000 were occupied resulting in an occupancy rate close to 80% in Bangkok for luxury properties. However, although the major chunk of buyers still remains Thai nationals leaving the chunk of foreign investment to be a minor 20%. The average cost per unit for luxury condos is around 6500 USD whereas there is almost a 20% surge when it comes to super luxury condos such as beachfront properties bring the cost per unit close to 10,000 USD. Such prices are phenomenal for real estate value anywhere in the world and present a stark contrast when compared with general residential real estate prices in Bangkok. With prices promisingly on the surge over the last decade, the trend can be expected going forward too and the values of any invested luxury property can easily be expected to be appreciated by at least 10%. The current plethora of luxury real estate projects mushrooming all over Bangkok are only testimony to the same.

Hence it is strongly advised for those foreign nationals that are interested in buying luxury condos in Bangkok or are interested in investing in premium real estate properties in prime locations in Bangkok that you consult our team of expert real estate professionals in order to expedite and abet your situation to your best interests. Our real estate agents at Doctor Property bring a vast depth of knowledge and experience regarding the nitty-gritty of legalities regarding luxury real estate property purchase and can assist your cause to a favorable closure with much ease.